How To Visit Inch Abbey, Downpatrick (Parking, Location & Photos)
Inch Abbey is situated on the banks of the Quoile River, just outside Downpatrick in Northern Ireland.
It was actually used as a filming location for the TV series ‘Game of Thrones‘ – so if you’re a fan, make sure to add it to your bucket list!
The remnants and ruins of this once magnificent Cistercian monastery, offer a delightful visit for those looking to immerse themselves in the rich history of Northern Ireland or anyone simply looking for an interesting afternoon stroll!
We chose a pretty dull, grey day to visit & we still really enjoyed ourselves – so we can imagine it looks even better when the sun is shining!
Here’s our quick guide for everything you need to know about visiting Inch Abbey in Downpatrick – including handy info on parking, how to get there & what to expect!
Where is Inch Abbey located?
Click here for the exact location of Inch Abbey on Google Maps!
You’ll find Inch Abbey around 26 miles from Belfast City Centre, just before you enter the town of Downpatrick in County Down.
The ruins of the abbey sit in a large expansive field down a quiet country lane & right beside the River Quoile with some stunning views across to Downpatrick & surrounding area.
How To Get To Inch Abbey
The easiest & best way to get to Inch Abbey is definitely by car.
From Belfast City, getting there is relatively straightforward, & will take you around 35-55 mins.
You’ll want to take the Saintfield Road/A7 road towards Downpatrick. Just before you enter the town, you’ll see Inch Abbey Road on your right. Turn into that road, & follow it until you see a brown signpost with ‘Inch Abbey – Ancient Monument’ & turn into the gateway on your left. Follow the lane & you’ll find the car park at the end (which will also be signposted), right at the entrance to the abbey ruins.
The address for Inch Abbey is : Inch Abbey Rd, Downpatrick BT30 9AT!
Tip: The lane leading to Inch Abbey is fairly narrow so do watch out for cars coming the other way!
What Are The Opening Hours For Inch Abbey & Is There An Admission Fee?
The awesome thing about Inch Abbey is that it’s from dawn to dusk, so you aren’t restricted with opening or closing times! It’s accessible all year round too. We would suggest that due to it’s location in a large field & beside the river, visiting during daylight hours is probably best, as it may not be as safe (or interesting!) in the dark!
There is no admission fee to enter the site, so you don’t need to worry about getting a ticket beforehand.
Is There Free Parking At Inch Abbey?
Yes, there is a car park at Inch Abbey, which is free of charge. Just follow the lane and you will find it at the end, adjacent to the entrance to the field, and the local church.
Note: Although the car park is handy, do be aware that it is compact – with space for maybe around 10 cars. So do be aware on sunnier days or weekends the car park may be busier. However if you get there early enough or go on a weekday, it shouldn’t be an issue!
Click here for the exact car park location on Google Maps!
What To Expect At Inch Abbey
To get to the abbey ruins, you want to go through the gate which is next to the car park & the old graveyard & just follow the path along into the field.
From there you can read the various signs giving explaining the history of the abbey & explore the ruins themselves. There are lots of different alcoves, steps & windows to take photos in like we did which was really fun!
One thing we loved about here too, was that it was dog-friendly, so Luka was able to come along for the adventure! The field itself is pretty large so it’s a good walk & you can also enjoy some gorgeous views over the river to Downpatrick as well!
We spent just over an hour here at Inch Abbey & we think it was definitely worth visiting!
Other posts about Northern Ireland:
- The Summit Trail at Divis Mountain
- Hillsborough Forest Park
- A Very Quick Guide To Visiting Belvoir Park Forest
- Sir Thomas & Lady Dixon Park: Walks, Coffee & Parking (2024)
- How To Visit The Ulster Folk Museum, Northern Ireland
- 6 Best Things To Do In Glenarm, Northern Ireland
Bookmark this post for your trip to Northern Ireland! ☘️
